World Flags Bunker Quiz - By olliek Answer Sector Which country's flag includes 50 stars and 13 stripes? A) Canada B) Denmark C) USA D) France? 1 The Union Jack is the flag of which European country? A) France B) Germany C) Italy D) UK? 2 Which country has the only non-quadrilateral flag? A) Nepal B) Japan C) Switzerland D) Bhutan? 3 Which Oceanic nation's flag features six stars? A) Australia B) New Zealand C) Fiji D) Samoa? 4 Which Baltic state nation has a flag that bears a red flag with a white stripe? A) Estonia B) Latvia C) Lithuania D) Finland? 5 Excluding the USA, which country has the highest number of stars on its flag? A) Uzbekistan B) Cape Verde C) Tuvalu D) Brazil? 6 Romania shares an identical flag to what other country? A) Chad B) Moldova C) Mauritania D) Bolivia? 7 Until 2011, which country's flag consisted of a green field (no other colours or patterns)? A) Malaysia B) Yemen C) Libya D) El Salvador?

8 Which colour, prominent on most Arabic flags, represents Allah? A) Black B) Green C) White D) Red? 9 The flag of which country features an AK-47 rifle? A) Zimbabwe B) Swaziland C) Equatorial Guinea D) Mozambique? 10 What bird does the flag of Dominica include? A) Eagle B) Parrot C) Hummingbird D) Woodpecker? 11 Which country's flag includes its coat of arms, which in turn, features two cows? A) Andorra B) Moldova C) Spain D) Haiti? 12 Which colour is not present on the flag of the Seychelles? A) Blue B) Green C) Yellow D) Black? 13 Other than Cyprus, which country's flag features an olive branch? A) Cambodia B) Afghanistan C) Eritrea D) Mexico? 14 What is the only country to feature human beings on its flag? A) Belize B) Peru C) Vanuatu D) Guatemala? 15 Which country's flag includes 50 stars and 13 stripes? A) Canada B) Denmark C) USA D) France? 15 The Union Jack is the flag of which European country?

A) France B) Germany C) Italy D) UK? 15 Which country has the only non-quadrilateral flag? A) Nepal B) Japan C) Switzerland D) Bhutan? 15 Which Oceanic nation's flag features six stars? A) Australia B) New Zealand C) Fiji D) Samoa? 15 Which Baltic state nation has a flag that bears a red flag with a white stripe? A) Estonia B) Latvia C) Lithuania D) Finland? 15 Excluding the USA, which country has the highest number of stars on its flag? A) Uzbekistan B) Cape Verde C) Tuvalu D) Brazil? 15 Romania shares an identical flag to what other country? A) Chad B) Moldova C) Mauritania D) Bolivia? 15 Until 2011, which country's flag consisted of a green field (no other colours or patterns)? A) Malaysia B) Yemen C) Libya D) El Salvador? 15 Which colour, prominent on most Arabic flags, represents Allah? A) Black B) Green C) White D) Red? 15 The flag of which country features an AK-47 rifle?

A) Zimbabwe B) Swaziland C) Equatorial Guinea D) Mozambique? 15 What bird does the flag of Dominica include? A) Eagle B) Parrot C) Hummingbird D) Woodpecker? 15 Which country's flag includes its coat of arms, which in turn, features two cows? A) Andorra B) Moldova C) Spain D) Haiti? 15 Which colour is not present on the flag of the Seychelles? A) Blue B) Green C) Yellow D) Black? 15 Other than Cyprus, which country's flag features an olive branch? A) Cambodia B) Afghanistan C) Eritrea D) Mexico? 15 What is the only country to feature human beings on its flag? A) Belize B) Peru C) Vanuatu D) Guatemala? 15 What Country Has the Best Flag? - NeoGAF NeoGAF What Country Has the Best Flag? # 1 Well we've just done one with the best anthem, but what about the best flag? Personally I've always like Brazil's.

Its very unique and I like the fact that they've managed to create such a respectable flag that doesn't have the color red (as red is the symbol of importance thus in 90% of all flags or more). Flying_Phoenix First thing I thought off. Pretty simple, but nothing spectacular though. I can't think of an "awesome flag" as it probably doesn't exist. Just a bunch of stars and stripes in different formations. Souldriver Of course everyone of their respective countries is gonna say theirs So mine is: Not my fav, but it is unique! Manos: The Hans of Fate Welsh flag is pretty awesome. After all, it has a huge red dragon on it. Dragons are cool, right? Qasiel As a country ours sucks (cross of st George) but the union jack is all sorts of awesome Jeff Albertson I love my home country's flag (Canada). But I'll try not to be TOO biased.

I have always been partial to Ra\/en holds a masters in liberal arts (01-07-2012, 02:41 AM) Originally Posted by Flying_Phoenix Well we've just done one with the best anthem, but what about the best flag? Personally I've always like Brazil's. Its very unique and I like the fact that they've managed to create such a respectable flag that doesn't have the color red (as red is the symbol of importance thus in 90% of all flags or more). thread over with the first post. truly a great flag. also booo at the first few replies (usa+kakazhstan). dschalter Originally Posted by Manos: The Hans of Fate Not my fav, but it is unique! A flag with a fucking gun in it loses automatically. Souldriver # 18 Originally Posted by Qasiel Welsh flag is pretty awesome. After all, it has a huge red dragon on it. Dragons are cool, right? Okay fuck every other flag in existence. This wins easily. Onemic I think Mozambique's Flag would just shoot it.

lol Originally Posted by Souldriver A flag with a fucking gun in it loses automatically. But it also have reading and farming. That said not my favorite by a mile, just a very different flag. Manos: The Hans of Fate just for being a different shape than the standard rectangle... xbhaskarx US by far, as with most things PhoenixDark Blasphemer who refuses to accept bagged milk as his personal savior (01-07-2012, 02:43 AM) Wales is my favourite country in the world. Veidt Every country would be so much better if they had this flag instead. Maffis Brazil is the best. Order and Progress ftw ElectricBlue187 Won't stop picking the right nation (01-07-2012, 02:43 AM) Hong Kong is about the only one that actually aspires toward art. Mgoblue201 Nepal has the only non-quadrilateral national flag. I always thought that was cool. mokeyjoe I was always a fan of South Korea's. acheron_xl thread over with the first post. truly a great flag.

also booo at the first few replies (usa+kakazhstan). I really do like Kazakhstan's flag. Dark Stalkers # 33 Originally Posted by Manos: The Hans of Fate But it also have reading and farming. That said not my favorite by a mile, just a very different flag. True. It does represent something, which is more than we can say from the majority of national flags. Souldriver how do I slip unnoticed out of a gloryhole booth? (01-07-2012, 02:44 AM) Kenya, Albania and Kazakhstan are my favorites I think. Brobzoid holds a masters in liberal arts (01-07-2012, 02:45 AM) I think Germany, France and Italy have the most boring flags. USA, Britain, the Philippines and South Korea have the best. DonMigs85 Originally Posted by Mgoblue201 Hong Kong is about the only one that actually aspires toward art. Colonial Hong Kong was a favorite of mine too from owning lots of Hong Kong films. Bhutan is a cool one.

Jordan and Palestine have a copyright dispute and a bunch of the other Mid East North African countries need to try to be a little different (UAR holdover stuff notwithstanding). Manos: The Hans of Fate I'm also partial to my birth nation's flag: Polska, represent. A flag with a fucking gun in it loses automatically. Not just a gun. It's an AK-47. Bulbo Urethral Baggins # 43 Originally Posted by Qasiel Welsh flag is pretty awesome. After all, it has a huge red dragon on it. Dragons are cool, right? Bhutan has a dragon also (I'm also pretty sure neither one has their own embassies or independent foreign policy?) xbhaskarx # 44 Originally Posted by Souldriver True. It does represent something, which is more than we can say from the majority of national flags. Yeah that is true. The flag of Mozambique was adopted on May 1, 1983. It includes the image of an AK-47 with a bayonet attached to the barrel and is the only national flag in the world to feature such a modern rifle.

The original flag of the FRELIMO, the leading political party in Mozambique, also had green, black, and yellow horizontal stripes separated by white fimbriations. In the hoist was a red triangle. The black, green, and yellow were derived from the flag of the African National Congress, used in South Africa. On independence the colors were rearranged to form the national flag, in diagonals emanating from the upper hoist. Over this was a white cogwheel containing the hoe, rifle, book, and star that appear on the present flag. The flag was altered in 1983; the colors were arranged in horizontal stripes, and the star of Marxism was made larger. Proposals for a new, non-partisan flag have been introduced. Green stands for the riches of the land, the white fimbriations signify peace, black represents the African continent, yellow symbolizes the country's minerals, and red represents the struggle for independence. The rifle stands for defense and vigilance, the open book symbolizes the importance of education, the hoe represents the country's agriculture, and the star symbolizes Marxism and internationalism. The flag is based on the flag of the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO).

The FRELIMO flag, used for a brief period after the country gained its independence from Portugal, looks like the current flag but lacking the emblem. In 2005, a competition was held to design a new flag for Mozambique. 119 entries were received and a winning flag was selected, but to this day the flag remains the same. This came in the context of a drive to create a new crest and anthem for the country. Mozambique's parliamentary opposition would specifically like to see removed from the flag the image of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, which symbolizes the nation's struggle for independence, according to press reports.[citation needed] The proposition of a new flag was rejected by the FRELIMO-led parliament in December 2005.

169 proposed flags were turned down, including the current flag without the rifle.[1] Manos: The Hans of Fate AK-47 | Gun Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia 300 metres (330 yd) full automatic[4] 400 metres (440 yd) semi-automatic[4] Feed system 10, 20 , 30 , 40 or 75 -round detachable box and drum style magazine, also compatible with 40-round box or 75-round drum magazines from the RPK Sights Adjustable iron sights, 100–800 metre adjustments, 378 mm (14.9 in) sight radius The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova. It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or, in Russian slang, Kalash. Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year of World War II (1945).

After the war in 1946, the AK-46 was presented for official military trials. In 1947 the fixed-stock version was introduced into service with select units of the Soviet Army. An early development of the design was the AKS-47 (S—Skladnoy or "folding"), which was equipped with an underfolding metal shoulder stock. In 1949, the AK-47 was officially accepted by the Soviet Armed Forces and used by the majority of the member states of the Warsaw Pact. The original AK-47 was one of the first true "assault rifles" to be manufactured, after the original Sturmgewehr 44.[5][6] Even after six decades the model and its variants remain the most widely used and popular assault rifles in the world because of its durability, low production cost, and ease of use. It has been manufactured in many countries and has seen service with armed forces as well as revolutionary and terrorist organizations worldwide. The AK-47 was the basis for developing many other types of individual and crew-served firearms.

More AK-type rifles have been produced than all other assault rifles combined.[2] Firing the 7.62x39mm cartridge, the AK-47 produces significant wounding effects when the projectile tumbles and fragments in tissue;[7] but it produces relatively minor wounds when the projectile exits the body before beginning to yaw.[8][9] Contents Edit During World War II, the Germans first pioneered the assault rifle concept, based upon research that showed that most firefights happen at close range, within approximately 300 meters.[citation needed] The power and range of contemporary rifle cartridges was excessive for most small arms firefights. As a result, armies sought a cartridge and rifle combining submachine gun features (large-capacity magazine, selective-fire) with an intermediate-power cartridge effective to 300 meters. To reduce manufacturing costs, the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge case was shortened, the result of which was the lighter 7.92x33mm Kurz. The resultant rifle was the Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44).

An earlier firearm, the Italian Cei-Rigotti combined similar features but suffered poor reliability and ejection mechanism, as well as inferior magazine capacity. Towards the end of the war, the Germans fielded the StG44 against the Soviets; the experience deeply influenced Soviet military doctrine in the post-war years.[citation needed] Mikhail Kalashnikov began his career as a weapon designer while in a hospital after he was shot in the shoulder during the Battle of Bryansk.[10] After tinkering with a sub-machine gun design, he entered a competition for a new weapon that would chamber the 7.62x41mm cartridge developed by Elisarov and Semin in 1943 (the 7.62x41mm cartridge predated the current 7.62x39mm M1943). A particular requirement of the competition was the reliability of the firearm in the muddy, wet, and frozen conditions of the Soviet front line. Kalashnikov designed a carbine, strongly influenced by the American M1 Garand, that lost out to the Simonov design that later became the SKS semi-automatic carbine.

At the same time, the Soviet Army was interested in developing a true assault rifle employing a shortened M1943 round. The first such weapon was presented by Sudayev in 1944, but trials found it to be too heavy.[11] A new design competition was held two years later where Kalashnikov and his design team submitted an entry. It was a gas-operated rifle which had a breech-block mechanism similar to his 1944 carbine, and a curved 30-round magazine. Kalashnikov's rifles (codenamed AK-1 and −2) proved to be reliable and the weapon was accepted to second round of competition along with designs by A.A Demetev and F. Bulkin. In late 1946, as the rifles were being tested, one of Kalashnikov's assistants, Aleksandr Zaytsev, suggested a major redesign of AK-1, particularly to improve reliability. At first, Kalashnikov was reluctant, given that their rifle had already fared better than its competitors. Eventually, however, Zaytsev managed to persuade Kalashnikov.

The new rifle was produced for a second round of firing tests and field trials. There, Kalashnikov assault rifle model 1947 proved to be simple and reliable under a wide range of conditions with convenient handling characteristics. In 1949 it was therefore adopted by the Soviet Army as '7.62mm Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK)'.[12] Design concept Edit The AK-47 is best described as a hybrid of previous rifle technology innovations: the trigger, double locking lugs and unlocking raceway of the M1 Garand/M1 carbine,[13] the safety mechanism of the John Browning designed Remington Model 8 rifle,[14] and the gas system and layout of the Sturmgewehr 44. Kalashnikov's team had access to all of these weapons and had no need to "reinvent the wheel",[15][16] though he denied that his design was based on the German Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle.[17] Kalashnikov himself observed: "A lot of [Soviet Army soldiers] ask me how one can become a constructor, and how new weaponry is designed.

These are very difficult questions. Each designer seems to have his own paths, his own successes and failures. But one thing is clear: before attempting to create something new, it is vital to have a good appreciation of everything that already exists in this field. I myself have had many experiences confirming this to be so."[18] Receiver development Edit AKMS on a Type 4B receiver (top), with a Type 2AA Type 2 AK-47, the first machined receiver variationThere were many difficulties during the initial phase of production. The first production models had stamped sheet metal receivers. Difficulties were encountered in welding the guide and ejector rails, causing high rejection rates.[19] Instead of halting production, a heavy machined receiver was substituted for the sheet metal receiver.[20] This was a more costly process, but the use of machined receivers accelerated production as tooling and labor for the earlier Mosin-Nagant rifle's machined receiver were easily adapted. Partly because of these problems, the Soviets were not able to distribute large numbers of the new rifle to soldiers until 1956.

During this time, production of the interim SKS rifle continued.[20] Once manufacturing difficulties had been overcome, a redesigned version designated the AKM (M for "modernized" or "upgraded"—in Russian: (Автомат Калашникова Модернизированный [Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy]) was introduced in 1959.[21] This new model used a stamped sheet metal receiver and featured a slanted muzzle brake on the end of the barrel to compensate for muzzle rise under recoil. In addition, a hammer retarder was added to prevent the weapon from firing out of battery (without the bolt being fully closed), during rapid or automatic fire.[22] This is also sometimes referred to as a "cyclic rate reducer", or simply "rate reducer", as it also has the effect of reducing the number of rounds fired per minute during automatic fire. It was also roughly one-third lighter than the previous model.[21] Both licensed and unlicensed production of the Kalashnikov weapons abroad were almost exclusively of the AKM variant, partially due to the much easier production of the stamped receiver.

This model is the most commonly encountered, having been produced in much greater quantities. All rifles based on the Kalashnikov design are frequently referred to as AK-47s in the West, although this is only correct when applied to rifles based on the original three receiver types.[23] In most former Eastern Bloc countries, the weapon is known simply as the "Kalashnikov" or "AK". The photo above at right illustrates the differences between the Type 2 milled receiver and the Type 4 stamped, including the use of rivets rather than welds on the stamped receiver, as well as the placement of a small dimple above the magazine well for stabilization of the magazine. In 1978, the Soviet Union began replacing their AK-47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK-74. This new rifle and cartridge had only started being exported to eastern European nations when the Soviet Union collapsed, drastically slowing production of this and other weapons of the former Soviet bloc. Receiver type Stamped AKM receiver. Overall, the most-used design in the construction of the AK-series rifles.

Features Edit An Afghan National Police instructor using a Type 56-I, a Chinese copy of the AKS-47The main advantages of the Kalashnikov rifle are its simple design, fairly compact size and adaptation to mass production. It is inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to clean and maintain. Its ruggedness and reliability are legendary.[24][25] The AK-47 was initially designed for ease of operation and repair by glove-wearing Soviet soldiers in Arctic conditions. The large gas piston, generous clearances between moving parts, and tapered cartridge case design allow the gun to endure large amounts of foreign matter and fouling without failing to cycle. This reliability comes at the cost of accuracy, as the looser tolerances do not allow for precision and consistency. Reflecting Soviet infantry doctrine of its time, the rifle is meant to be part of massed infantry fire, not long range engagements. The average service life of an AK-47 is 20 to 40 years depending on the conditions to which it has been exposed.[6] The notched rear tangent iron sight is adjustable, and is calibrated in hundreds of meters. The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field.

Windage adjustment is done by the armory before issue. The battle setting places the round within a few centimeters above or below the point of aim out to about 250 meters (275 yd). This "point-blank range" setting allows the shooter to fire the gun at any close target without adjusting the sights. The field adjustment procedure for AK-47, AKM and AK-74 family requires 4 rounds to be placed in a 15 cm group at a distance of 100 meters.[26][27] Longer settings are intended for area suppression. These settings mirror the Mosin-Nagant and SKS rifles which the AK-47 replaced. This eased transition and simplified training. The prototype of the AK-47, the AK-46, had a separate fire selector and safety.[28] These were later combined in the production version to simplify the design. The fire selector acts as a dust cover for the charging handle raceway when placed on safe. This prevents intrusion of dust and other debris into the internal parts. The dust cover on the M16 rifle, in contrast, is not tied to the safety, and has to be manually closed.

Soviet army handbooks for AKM and AK-74 do not cover target engagement using the semi-automatic setting, and advise the use of short and long bursts (but still recommend short ones).[29][27] The bore and chamber, as well as the gas piston and the interior of the gas cylinder, are generally chromium-plated. This plating dramatically increases the life of these parts by resisting corrosion and wear. This is particularly important, as most military-production ammunition (and virtually all ammunition produced by the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact nations) during the 20th century contained potassium chlorate in the primers. On firing, this was converted to corrosive and hygroscopic potassium chloride which mandated frequent and thorough cleaning in order to prevent damage. Chrome plating of critical parts is now common on many modern military weapons. The construction of the AK magazine is very robust with reinforced feed lips that contribute to the reliable functioning for which the design is noted. Most Yugoslavian and some East German AK magazines were made with cartridge followers that hold the bolt open when empty; however, most AK magazine followers allow the bolt to close when the magazine is empty.

Operating cycle Edit The gas-operated mechanism of an AK-47 (Chinese version)To fire, the operator inserts a loaded magazine, moves the selector lever off of safety, pulls back and releases the charging handle, aims, and then pulls the trigger. In this setting, the firearm fires only once (semi-automatic), requiring the trigger to be released and depressed again for the next shot. With the selector in the middle position (full-automatic), the rifle continues to fire, automatically cycling fresh rounds into the chamber, until the magazine is exhausted or pressure is released from the trigger. As each bullet travels through the barrel, a portion of the gases expanding behind it is diverted into the gas tube above the barrel, where it impacts the gas piston. The piston, in turn, is driven backward, pushing the bolt carrier, which causes the bolt to move backwards, ejecting the spent round, and chambering a new round when the recoil spring pushes it back.[30] Disassembly Edit Dismantling the rifle involves the operator depressing the magazine catch and removing the magazine. The charging handle is pulled to the rear and the operator inspects the chamber to verify the weapon is unloaded.

The operator presses forward on the retainer button at the rear of the receiver cover while simultaneously lifting up on the rear of the cover to remove it. The operator then pushes the spring assembly forward and lifts it from its raceway, withdrawing it out of the bolt carrier and to the rear. The operator must then pull the carrier assembly all the way to the rear, lift it, and then pull it away. The operator removes the bolt by pushing it to the rear of the bolt carrier; rotating the bolt so the camming lug clears the raceway on the underside of the bolt carrier and then pulls it forward and free. When cleaning, the operator will pay special attention to the barrel, bolt face, and gas piston, then oil lightly and reassemble.[30] Ballistics Edit Main article: 7.62x39mmThe standard AK-47 or AKM fires the 7.62x39mm cartridge with a muzzle velocity of 710 metres per second (2,300 ft/s). Muzzle energy is 2,010 joules (1,480 ft·lbf). Projectile weight is normally 7.8 grams (120 gr).

The AK-47 and AKM, with the 7.62×39mm cartridge, have a maximum effective range of around 400 metres (1,300 ft). Variants Edit Kalashnikov variants include: 1955 AK-47 Type 3*AK-47 1948–51, 7.62x39mm – The very earliest models, with the Type 1 stamped sheet metal receiver, are now very rare. AK-47 1952, 7.62x39mm – Has a milled receiver and wooden buttstock and handguard. Barrel and chamber are chrome plated to resist corrosion. Rifle weight is 4.2 kg (9.3 lb). AKS-47—Featured a downward-folding metal stock similar to that of the German MP40, for use in the restricted space in the BMP infantry combat vehicle, as well as by paratroops. RPK, 7.62x39mm – Hand-held machine gun version with longer barrel and bipod.

AKM, 7.62x39mm – A simplified, lighter version of the AK-47; Type 4 receiver is made from stamped and riveted sheet metal (see schematic above). A slanted muzzle device was added to counter climb in automatic fire. Rifle weight is 3.1 kg (6.8 lb) due to the lighter receiver. This is the most ubiquitous variant of the AK-47. AKMS, 7.62x39mm – Folding-stock version of the AKM intended for airborne troops. Stock may be either side- or under-folding AK-74 series, 5.45x39mm License granted, factory under construction[39] Yugoslavia M60, M64 (AK-47 with longer barrel), M64A (grenade launcher), M64B (M64 w/ folding stock), M66, M70, M70A, M70B1, M70AB2, M76, M77, Certainly more have been produced elsewhere; but the above list represents known producers and is limited to only military variants. An updated AKM design is still produced in Russia.

Derivatives Edit Type 56 and AKS-47The basic design of the AK-47 has been used as the basis for other successful rifle designs such as the Finnish Rk 62/76 and Rk 95 Tp, the Israeli Galil, the Indian INSAS and the Yugoslav Zastava M76 and M77/82 rifles. Several bullpup designs have surfaced such as the Chinese Norinco Type 86S, although none have been produced in quantity. Bullpup conversions are also available commercially. Further information: list of weapons influenced by the Kalashnikov design===Licensing=== OJSC IzhMash has repeatedly claimed that the majority of manufacturers produce AK-47s without a proper license from IZH.[40][41] The Izhevsk Machine Tool Factory acquired a patent in 1999,[clarification needed] making manufacture of the newest Kalashnikov rifles, such as AK-100s by anyone other than themselves illegal. However, older variants, such as AK and AKM are public domain due to age of design.

Illicit trade Edit Cambodian AKM with black furnitureThroughout the world, the AK and its variants are among the most commonly smuggled small arms sold to governments, rebels, criminals, and civilians alike, with little international oversight.[citation needed] In some countries, prices for AKs are very low; in Somalia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Congo and Ethiopia, prices are between $30 and $125 per weapon, and prices have fallen in the last few decades due to mass counterfeiting. Moisés Naím observed that in a small town in Kenya in 1986, an AK-47 cost fifteen cows but that in 2005, the price was down to four cows indicating that supply was "immense".[42] The weapon has appeared in a number of conflicts including clashes in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.[43] After the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan, the Soviet Army left quantities of weapons including AKs[citation needed] which were subsequently used in the civil war between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance and were also exported to Pakistan. The gun is now also made in Pakistan's semi-autonomous areas (see more at Khyber Pass Copy).

It is widely used by tribes in Africa like the Hamer, amongst others.[citation needed] The World Bank estimates that out of the 500 million total firearms available worldwide, 100 million are of the Kalashnikov family, and 75 million of which are AK-47s.[44] Mikhail Kalashnikov addressed the United Nations in 2006 at a conference aimed at solving the problem of illicit weapons, saying that he appreciated the AK-47's role in state-sponsored defense but that counterfeit weapons carrying his name in the hands of "terrorists and thugs" caused him regret.[45] Cultural influence Edit "Basically, it's the anti-Western cache of it ... And you know, one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter, so we all sort of think, oh boy, we've got a little bit of Che Guevara in us. And this accounts for the popularity of the (AK 47) weapon. Plus I think that in the United States it's considered counterculture, which is always something that citizens in this country kind of like ...

It's kind of sticking a finger in the eye of the man, if you will." — Larry Kahaner, author of AK-47: The Weapon That Changed the Face of War [46]The Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, as well as Western countries (especially the United States) supplied arms and technical knowledge to numerous countries and rebel forces in a global struggle between the Warsaw Pact nations and their allies against NATO and their allies called the Cold War. While the NATO countries used rifles such as the relatively expensive M14, FN FAL, and H&K G3 battle rifles and M16 assault rifle during this time, the low production and materials costs of the AK-47 meant that the Soviet Union could produce and supply its allies at a very low cost. Because of its low cost, it was also duplicated or used as the basis for many other rifles, such as the Israeli Galil, Chinese Type 56, and Swiss SIG SG 550.

As a result, the Cold War saw the mass export of AK-47s by the Soviet Union and the PRC to their allies, such as the Nicaraguan Sandinistas, Viet Cong as well as Middle Eastern, Asian, and African revolutionaries. The United States also purchased the Type 56 from the PRC to give to the mujahideen guerrillas during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.[47] Flag of Mozambique featuring the AK-47.The proliferation of this weapon is reflected by more than just numbers. The AK-47 is included in the flag of Mozambique and its coat of arms, an acknowledgment that the country's leaders gained power in large part through the effective use of their AK-47s.[48] It is also found in the coat of arms of Zimbabwe and East Timor, the revolution era coat of arms of Burkina Faso, the flag of Hezbollah, and the logo of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.[citation needed] A U.S. Army M.P. inspects a Soviet AK-47 recovered in Vietnam, 1968.In parts of the Western world, the AK-47 is associated with their enemies; both Cold War era and present-day.

During the 1980s, the Soviet Union became the principal arms dealer to countries embargoed by Western democracies, including Middle Eastern nations such as Syria, Libya and Iran, who welcomed Soviet Union backing against Israel. After the fall of the Soviet Union, AK-47s were sold both openly and on the black market to any group with cash, including drug cartels and dictatorial states, and more recently they have been seen in the hands of violent Islamic terrorist groups such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Iraq, and FARC, Ejército de Liberación Nacional guerrillas in Colombia. Western movies often portray criminals, gang members and terrorists using AK-47s. For these reasons, in the U.S. and Western Europe the AK-47 is stereotypically regarded as the weapon of choice of insurgents, gangsters and terrorists.

Conversely, throughout the developing world, the AK-47 can be positively attributed with revolutionaries or "freedom fighters" from foreign occupation, imperialism, or colonialism.[46] In Mexico, the AK-47 is known as "Cuerno de Chivo" (literally "Ram's Horn") and is one of the weapons of choice of Mexican drug cartels. It is sometimes mentioned in Mexican folk music lyrics.[citation needed] In 2006, Colombian musician and peace activist César López devised the escopetarra, an AK converted into a guitar. One sold for US$17,000 in a fundraiser held to benefit the victims of anti-personnel mines, while another was exhibited at the United Nations' Conference on Disarmament.[49] Kalashnikov Museum Edit The Kalashnikov Museum (also called the AK-47 museum) opened on November 4, 2004, in Izhevsk, a city in the Ural Mountains of Russia. The museum chronicles the biography of General Kalashnikov, as well as documents the invention of the AK-47. The museum complex of small arms of M. T.

Kalashnikov, a series of halls and multimedia exhibitions is devoted to the evolution of the AK-47 assault rifle and attracts 10,000 monthly visitors. The museum serves as Russia's monument to this world-renowned infantry weapon.

[50] Nadezhda Vechtomova, the museum director stated in an interview that the purpose of the museum is to honor the ingenuity of the inventor and the hard work of the employees and to "separate the weapon as a weapon of murder from the people who are producing it and to tell its history in our country." Users Ethiopian soldier aiming with an AKM* Afghanistan[51] Albania[52] Benin[52] Botswana[52] Bulgaria[52] Bulgarian modification manufactured by Arsenal J.S.Co as the AR-M1 in 7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm, & 5.56x45mm[53][54] Cambodia[52] Democratic Republic of the Congo[52] Egypt[52] Ethiopia: AK-47 variant.[52] Gabon[52] Georgia:[52] Used by the Georgian Armed Forces for over 15 years.

Replaced by the M4 carbine in 2008.[57] Greece: EKAM counter-terrorist unit of the Hellenic Police.[58][59] Guinea[52] India: In use by Force One.[60] Indonesia[61] Malta: Type 56 variant.[52] Morocco[52] Mozambique[52] North Korea: Type 56 and Type 58 variants were used.[52] Pakistan: Type 56 variant is used by the Special Service Group of the Pakistan Army.[63] People's Republic of China: Type 56 variant was used.[64] Peru[52] Philippines: Used by the Santiago City PNP.[65] Poland[56] Sao Tome and Principe[52] Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic[66] Seychelles[52] Soviet Union: Adopted by the Soviet Union in 1951.[64] Sri Lanka: Type 56 variant.[52] Sudan[52] Vietnam: Type 56 variant was used extensively by the Viet Cong.[64] Yemen[52] Justin Peters is a Slate

 correspondent and the author of The Idealist: Aaron Swartz and the Rise of Free Culture on the Internet .

Born in 1919, Mikhail Kalashnikov spent much of his boyhood in Siberian exile before he was conscripted into the Soviet Army in 1938. Injured in the Battle of Bryansk in 1941, Kalashnikov spent months convalescing in a military hospital. Though he had little formal education, Kalashnikov had an innate talent for tinkering, and spent his days lying in bed and pondering the Nazi forces’ superior firepower. He would later say that “here, in spite of the pain of my injury, I was obsessed night and day by a single thought: inventing a weapon to beat the fascists.” Advertisement The AK-47 was that weapon. (Though Kalashnikov was always credited as the sole designer of the AK-47, this may have been Soviet propaganda—an effort to make a hero out of an individual who had done great things in service of the state.) “I designed a machine gun for a soldier,” Kalashnikov said years later. While the AK-47 wasn’t the first “assault rifle,” it was certainly the most simple. It was light. It did not jam.

It was easy to understand and inexpensive to manufacture. As John Forge wrote in 2012’s Designed to Kill , “Compared to any similar weapon, the AK is very easy to use, and thus, even a poorly or barely trained soldier—or one wearing gloves in Siberia—or, sadly, even a child, can use one effectively at close range.” The rifle soon became standard Soviet Army issue, and, over the next two decades, the USSR freely licensed the gun to its allies. Versions of the rifle were soon being manufactured in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, China, North Korea, and many more countries. As the gun spread, it assumed symbolic properties. As Phillip Killicoat noted in a 2007 working paper for the World Bank , “an image of the rifle appears on the Mozambique national flag, and ‘Kalash,’ an abbreviation of Kalashnikov, is a common boy’s name in some African countries.” Top Comment I have a unique situation on the AK-47. I was on the receiving end of one of their rounds in VN on April 8th, 1970 in Chu Trung South Viet Nam (American Division 4/21st infantry). More... -wdp

Question: The flag of which Commonwealth country includes an AK-47 rifle?
Answer: Mozambique